Joe Sterling to showcase debut album

There have been a number of exciting album releases from some of the UK’s most promising up-and-coming new musical theatre writers. This next generation of composing talent have been making huge waves in the world of theatre as support for the new and unknown continuously grows – and with good reason. Joining this throng of promising writers is young Joe Sterling, who has just released a CD of his own.

Somewhere in my Mind is the debut album from Sterling, featuring 13 brand new songs, the majority of which are taken from his original musical Roundabout (a collaboration with MLS lyricist Bob Gould). He has assembled a superb host of West End stars, both established and new, to sing on the album, including: Craig Rhys Barlow, Adam Bayjou, Killian Donnelly, Jonathan Eio, Ross Hunter, Ashleigh Jones, Craig Mather, Rosa O’Reilly, Kit Orton, Rhiannon Sarah Porter, Jack Shalloo, Jos Slovick and Jonathan Williams, with Sterling himself also performing one of his own tracks. Hailed as “a strong collection of some of the best new writing, complimented by beautiful performances” (The Public Reviews), Sterling’s album is fresh and contemporary with a sound he describes as a combination of “acoustic rock, pop and traditional musical theatre”. Somewhere in my Mind is released on the SimG Records label, joining the ranks of names such as Dougal Irvine, Annalene Beechey and My Land’s Shore.

An actor/singer/songwriter/musician, Shropshire-born Sterling is a multi-talented individual with a list of theatre credits to his name. After studying Acting at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and graduating from the Shrewsbury College of Performing Arts in 2010 with a National Diploma in Musical Theatre (Distinction), Sterling was a featured artist in The Musicals of Boubil and Schonberg concert in Birmingham and played Peter Cratchit in Ray Shell’s production of A Christmas Carol, as well as working as its musical director. He recently returned from Birmingham Stage Company’s UK tour of The Jungle Book where he performed in the ensemble and covered the leading role of Mowgli. While still training, Sterling was also involved in a number of other productions and workshops of original musicals.

Sterling is an intelligent young man who is clearly passionate about his music. From the upbeat to the heartfelt, each of his songs grab your attention and stay with you long after you’ve heard them – I was always particularly taken with ‘Gone’, a beautiful ballad performed by Jonathan Williams that is powerful in its simplicity.

Joe Sterling will be appearing at Dress Circle this Saturday (21st April 2012, 11.30am) to showcase a few of his songs and also for an album signing. He will be joined by featured album vocalists Jos Slovick and Rosa O’Reilly, with the addition of Ben Stott. It will be a chance for existing fans to hear the tracks performed live and for new fans to see just what he is all about.